March 12, 2012
Results
LAIE, Hawaii -
The Illinois State women's tennis team opened its Hawaii trip against the nation's No. 1 NCAA Division II program in BYU-Hawaii Tuesday and the Redbirds were defeated, 7-0.
The loss dropped Illinois State's season record to 5-6, while the Seasiders improved to 13-0. BYU-Hawaii's top-three players rank No. 1, No. 4 and No. 7 nationally at the NCAA Division II level.
BYU-Hawaii swept the doubles matches to score the first point and then claimed each singles match in straight sets.
"They are really, really good," head coach Chris Hoover said. "It wasn't our best effort, but we are looking forward to practicing a little more outside and getting ready for our next three matches."
ISU's Phyllis Tigges and Carolina Abello pushed their singles opponents in the first set, before falling 6-4. Tigges dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision to Yuan Jia at No. 3 singles, while Abello fell 6-4, 6-4 to Tanja Rebholz at the No. 4 spot.
Illinois State will be back in action Tuesday, when the Redbirds face Chaminade at 4 p.m. CDT, at the Central Oahu Regional Park in Waipio, Hawaii. The Swords own a 4-3 record this season.
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